Barbie Doll: To The Girl In All Of US Women – Inventor Ruth Handler

The Inventor of Barbie.

Barbie was invented in 1959 By Ruth Handler. Her own daughter’s real name was Barbara which was the inspiration around the name. Ruth was co-founder of Mattel the maker of Barbie. She introduced tje world to Barbie in New York at the American Toy Fair.

Barbie job was that of a teenage fashion doll. The Ken doll was introduced 2 years later in 1961 and named after Ruths son. Barbie came in either blonde or brunette and in 1961 red hair was added. Did you know or do you remember, for those of us who owned a Barbie, which I still have mine, remember Barbie’s full name? It was Barbie Millicent Roberts, from Willows, Wisconson. Barbie’s job was that of a Teenage Fashion doll. Over the years the doll has been connected to versions in over125 careers.

In 1980 the first Black and Hispanic Barbie’s were introduced. Barbie did have a friend named Christine. The first Barbie was sold for $3. Additional clothing based on the latest runway trends from Paris were sold, costing from $1 to $5. In the first year (1959), 300,000 Barbie dolls were sold. Today, a mint condition “#1” (1959 Barbie doll) can fetch as much as $27,450. To date, over 70 fashion designers have made clothes for Mattel, using over 105 million yards of fabric.

There has been some controversy over Barbie Doll’s figure when it was realized that if Barbie was a real person her measurements would be an impossible 36-18-38. Barbie’s “real” measurements are 5 inches (bust), 3 ¼ inches (waist), 5 3/16 inches (hips). Her weight is 7 ¼ ounces, and her height is 11.5 inches tall.

In 1965, Barbie first had bendable legs, and eyes that open and shut. In 1967, a Twist ‘N Turn Barbie was released that had a moveable body that twisted at the waist.

At a young age of 7 my mother was trying to feminize me by buying a Barbie doll, her house and car in hopes of changing my mind of being a Cop or Mechanic. Although it was fun dressing her up and the car was just up my alley. My heart stayed true to my dreams. In the above photo is my barbie doll, her house and car which I display proudly in my home today. I sometimes open up the case just to step back in time. I always forget just how many different styles of clothes she wore.